CFB Assesses Penalties Against One Campaign

During a regularly scheduled meeting today, the Campaign Finance Board assessed penalties against one campaign, issued an advisory opinion, and approved proposed changes to Board Rules for public comment.

Penalties were assessed against 2005 City Council candidate Eric Blackwell.

The Board also issued an advisory opinion clarifying that $175 is the maximum portion of a contribution which may be counted towards the dollar amount threshold requirement for elections held after January 1, 2008, even if the contribution was received prior to that date.

The proposed changes to the Rules would conform the Board’s Rules to the recent amendments to the Campaign Finance Act contained in Local Laws 34 and 67 of 2007. Those changes would, among other things, clarify existing procedures for accepting contributions from political committees, transferring funds, completing the filer registration and certification, filing disclosure statements, keeping records, and responding to a penalty notice. In addition, a proposed new Rule 5-01(u) would require all candidates to be paid by electronic funds transfer, and a proposed amendment to Rule 2-02 would clarify that the submission of substantial false information or documentation that would avoid a finding of violation or repayment determination will be considered a breach of certification. Written public comments will be accepted until April 22, 2008. The date of a public hearing on the proposed Rule changes will be announced in the near future.